Scale Model of Oflag 64

Szubin, Poland

The idea for creating a scale model of Oflag 64 was conceived by Dr. Mariusz Winiecki who has been working tirelessly on another Oflag 64 project relating to the Little Theater. His inspiration was taken from Iowa Gold Star Museum photos of a small scale model of the camp as well as from the well-known sketch of Oflag 64 drawn by Jim Bickers. With his idea in mind, Mariusz approached his friend, Mieczyslaw Luchowski, who teaches at the school where Oflag 64 was once located and asked him if this would be a worthy project for the boys in the carpentry shop. He then spoke to the director of the school, Wieslaw Guzinski who enthusiastically accepted the idea and gave permission to proceed. Mieczyslaw and his workmate, Tomasz Kmiec who is a teacher at the carpentry shop, then began work on the project--drawing sketches, taking measurements, and studying maps; the project was off and running. What you see below is the dedicated work of several carpentry students and their teacher, which began in the fall of 2012. When the project is complete, more photos will be added. Thanks to Mariusz for sharing this project with us, to staff and students of the school for authorizing and working on the project, and to the school for financing it.

As of March 2015, the scale model is complete on on display in the Main Hall of the Boys’ Reform School. Please see the photos at the end of this page

Sketch with identification of Oflag 64 buildings

Cartographic map with sketch of Oflag 64 buildings
Red: surviving original buildings

Satellite map matched with the current sketch of Oflag 64 buildings

Scale models of Oflag 64 buildings were created using satellite photographs, current cartographic maps, and camp sketches by Jim Bickers

Another view of Oflag 64 scale models in beginning stages

Teacher Tomasz Kmiec and boys from the carpentry shop pose with the scale models

Close-up view of Oflag 64 building models in the carpentry shop

Another close-up view

Grzegorz Hamulczuk examines the buildings

Grzegorz adjusts a guard tower

The chapel before the veneer is applied

Chapel roof veneer

Chapel wall veneers

Comparing the veneer to the model

Chapel

Teacher Tomasz supervises the cutting of veneers

Barracks building

Guard towers in progress

Veneers for the Kommandant’s house

Kommandant’s house located outside the barbed wire

Another view

Teacher Tomasz supervises placement of buildings

Teacher Tomasz looks on

Teacher Tomasz and boys from the carpentry shop taking a look

Checking buildings against model plans

Warehouse

Ground cover

Grzegorz checking the progress of the work

Teacher Tomasz guiding the work

Checking building placement against the cartographic map

More work to be done

Camp fencing is measured

Grzegorz at work

Teacher Tomasz making adjustments

The White House

White House veneers

Working on the White House

White House completed, Grzegorz arranging guard towers

Camp model with grounds nearing completion

Grzegorz checking the work

Teacher Tomasz placing fence supports

Grzegorz and Teacher Tomasz pleased with the work

All buildings in view

Still work to do

Grzegorz checking things over

Grzegorz looking happy about the work so far

Almost done

What's next?

Needs a few finishing touches

Grzegorz figuring out what is still needed

Finishing spray will help keep the gravel in place

Camp entry gate and wire fence

Side view of the entry gate

Hospital

Ball field, lighting double row of wire fencing

Fencing in front of the Kommandant’s house

Steeple on the camp chapel

Close-up of the chapel steeple

Posts for wiring

End view of the front portion of the camp

Double row of wire fencing, end view

Model on display-1

Model on display-2

Model on display-3

Model on display-4

Model on display-5

Model on display-6

Model on display-7

Model on display-8

Model on display-9

Model on display-10

Model on display-11

Model on display with information cards-1

Model on display with information cards-2

Model on display with information cards-3

Dr. Mariusz Winiecki, from Szubin Poland, conceived the idea for the Oflag 64 Scale Model project

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Click on thumbnails below to see larger photos.